Improved folding metallic bedstead



. PHOTO-LITHOGRAPHER. WASHINGTON, D r2A UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

VILLIAM GARDNER, OF NEW YORK, N. Y.

IMPROVED FOLDING METALLIC BEDSTEAD.

Specification forming part of Letters Patent No. 37,094, dated December 9, 1F62.

.To all whom it may concern.-

Be it known that I, WILLIAM GARDNER, of the city and btate ofNew York, have invented, made, and applied to use a certain Improvement in Metallic Bedsteads; and I do hereby declare the following to be a full, clear, and exact description of my said invention, reference being had to the annexed drawings, making part of this specification, wherein- Figure l is a plan of my said bedstead in a folded position. Fig. 2 is a vertical section of the saine, and Fig. 3 is a vertical section of the bedstead as extended for use.

Similar marks of reference designate the same parts.

The bedsteads heretofore made of iron have been constructed so as to fold, and the head and foot guards havein some instances turned down upon the bottom or sacking of the bedstead.

The nature of my invention consists in a folding mosquito-frame, combined with the metallic or other bedstead-frame, and of a height less than one-half the length of said frame, or iitted so that said bedstead, when folded, will not be increased in thickness by the said mosquito-frames lapping over each other. I also provide cross-bars to said folding mosquitolfraine, forming head and foot guards, and I tit the same in such a manner that they can be inclined more or less for the convenience ofthe occupant or for his use in certain positions in case of sickness or injury, my improved bedstead being especially made for army use.

In the drawings, a a are the side pieces, united by the cross-pieces b b, and receiving any known sacking or other bottom.

c c are the folding legs, as usual.

, d d are my mosquito-bars, of a length to fold down upon, the bedstead, as shown in Figs. 1

f and 2.

e e are the cross-bars at the points at which the said bars d d are attached to the side rails, a a. These mosquito-bars are held up by the diagonal braces ff, that are jointed at one end to the side rails, a ci, and at the other end provided with a hook or hooks taking one of the bars t i of said mosquito-frame d, or a piu projecting from the same.

For an invalid, or for the convenience of the sleeper, the mosquito-frame d may be inclined, as shown by dotted lines in Fig. 3, the hooks in the folding partsf of the braces f being used to sustain said frame; or, for the convenience of the occupant, the barsz't may be placed in the separate frame d', that can be swung on one of said bars that passes through into the mosquitofraine d, and said frame d is to be held in its inclined position by the hooked braces o o. This arrangement allows the occupant to make either end the head of the bedstead, and incline it or not, according to his pleasure, and in case of surgical operations the bedstead can be fitted for accommodating the patient in comfortable positions, and that without interfering with the inosquito-netting that is to be thrown over the bars or frame d to keep otf insects.

It will be evident that in cases where the mosquito-frame is required of a greater height than that shown the flat bars thereof can have a double bend at the points where they cross each other, in order that the thickness of the bedstead may not be increased when folded, the flat parts of the bars coming together at the intersection.

Vhat I claim, and desire to secure ters Patent, isV

l. The folding mosquito-frames d d, in combination with the bedstead-frame a, in the manner shown, so that said frames d d fold clear of each other, as set forth.

2. The variable braces, fitted as specified, in combination with the folding head or foot guards and bottom or frame a, as set forth, whereby the inclination of said head or foot guards can be varied, as specified.

In witness whereof I have hereunto set my signature this 5th day ot' November, 1862.

WILLIAM GARDNER.

by Let- Witnesses:

LEMUEL W. SERRELL, THos. GEO. HAROLD. 

